Dallas firefighters watch 8 children left alone

DALLAS (AP) — Authorities say Dallas emergency responders helped look after eight children who were taken to a fire station after their mother had left them alone for hours.

Child Protective Services took custody of the youngsters, ranging in age from 2 to 12 years old, and the mother was located and faces questions.

Police Sgt. Warren Mitchell says the family had been given permission to stay at a church. Two women stopped at the church Sunday after noticing the mother hadn’t returned for several hours. They then decided to take the children to Fire Station 33.

Authorities say firefighters entertained the children for about 45 minutes before Dallas police took custody of the youths. The children were later placed in foster care.